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Editorial: Council needs to take lead on ski area plan When obvious division runs throughout the city, leadership is the essential task of the city council. Now is one such time. The U.S. Forest Service released its long-awaited environmental impact statement concerning the expansion of the Mount Ashland Ski Area. Its release kicks off a 60-day public comment period that is already fueling the fires of discontent between two long-standing adversaries: supporters of the proposed expansion and environmentalists intent on stopping it. To date, the city council has been silent. Nearly a year ago, on August 8, during a study session on the topic, the council effectively tabled all further discussion, saying that it wanted to wait for the release of the EIS before it made further comment. A prudent decision at that time. The time has changed however, with the release of the EIS. Environmentalists claim that expansion is the desire of a few aggressive commercial developers. Mt. Ashland supporters say the only ones opposing the move are extremists who believe that hiking is the only appropriate use of forest land, if that. Many supporters say that even moderate environmentalists view the expansion favorably. Which is right? Who knows. Politically it's a tough call. Council members risk being labeled soft on the environment by backing the expansion. But the not-for-profit ski area has played a positive role in the community and enhanced economic development and quality of life. Mt. Ashland Ski Area officials say the expansion is essential to solidify the ski area's economic base. Environmentalists say the city watershed, where the expansion will be built, is a precious resource that must be protected. Politically it's a very tough call. But times like these require leadership, not politics. The city council is a major player. The city is financially responsible should the ski area go under, either due to a flawed and costly expansion, or perhaps because a needed expansion is stopped. The council also must decide if the city's water supply would be jeopardized as the environmentalists claim. In a sense, it's the council's resort, the council's water, the council's problem. Because of deep divisions over the issue, clear leadership is essential. If the council can openly address the issues and work toward a strong majority opinion - or dare we be optimistic and suggest even a consensus - the tone could be set for a final resolution in this debate. We want to know where our council stands. We want leadership to follow, or perhaps criticize. Most residents want an acceptable solution to finally put this issue to rest. While the final decision is not the council's to make, we look to the council to make a strong statement, one way or another, to help lead the way. It's what leadership is all about. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -